The New Right

• more political way of thinking than a sociological one.
• the new right is an ideological position that has been adopted by the conservative party since the late 1970's
• Shares some views of the Functionalist view of society:

  • A biology-based division of labour in society.
  • Social institutions working to promote social order.
  • The Nuclear family is the 'ideal' family type.
  • The family is a crucial institution for society.
• The New Right also believe in:

  • Traditional family values and lifestyles
  • Personal responsibility
  • Reduced state intervention
  • - opposition to welfare and social policies; "self-reliance"
• welfare= 'handouts'
• The New Right are critical of welfare benefits as they believe it creates a culture of 'dependency on the state'.
• They are critical of social policies as they believe it has led to society's steady state of decline.

  • uncontrollable children; improper socialisation.
  • Educational underachievement.
  • A rise in deviant/criminal behaviour
  • Increased alcohol and drug use

  They undermine and are a threat to the nuclear family.
• CHARLES MURRAY

  • The welfare state has led to a culture of dependency.
  • These policies provide a 'perverse incentive'- they reward anti-social behaviour.
  • Teenage girls get pregnant and rely on welfare.
  • Fathers abandon their children to the state and accept no responsibility for them.
• CHARLES MURRAY

  • 'The Underclass' are created by this single-parenthood.
  • Unemployed; commit crimes; take advantage of the benefits system etc.
  • Over successive generations children are repeatedly socialised and accepted this culture as the norm.
• Murray argues the state should provide minimal support to encourage individual responsibility, prevent over-reliance on the state and encourage a return to traditional family values.
• Criticisms of The New Right:

  • Feminists argue an attempt to return to the Nuclear Family is an attempt to subordinate and control women.
  • Reducing benefits may only increase deprivation and cause further social problems.
  • Overemphasise the role of the nuclear family as being the only 'right' family type, and its decline in general.